The Art of Herbal Detox: Common strategies used in TCM detoxification.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the "Sweating, Vomiting, and Purging" Three strategies refer to three important therapeutic approaches:
Sweating Therapy: Help Upper Jiao problems including head, face, throat, lung, skin. Sweating therapy aims to stimulate the sweat glands on the body's surface to eliminate excess dampness and toxins. Sweating is commonly used to treat conditions such as wind-cold illnesses, damp-heat syndromes, and rheumatic diseases. It helps the body expel dampness, coldness, wind heat, and certain harmful substances, promoting circulation within the body. So patient may feel extra body warm and sweating after certain herbs while treating Covid infection, common cold/allergy symptoms, skin disease and joint problem.
Vomiting (Emtic) Therapy: Vomiting therapy involves inducing vomiting to clear harmful substances from the Middle Jiao or gastrointestinal tract. This therapy is typically conducted under the supervision of a TCM practitioner and may involve the use of specific herbs or other methods to trigger the vomiting reflex. Vomiting therapy is employed for conditions related to Stagnation and Blockage, food poisoning, Clearing Phlegm and Heat, digestive discomfort, to eliminate pathogenic factors and toxins from the body.
Purging Therapy: Purging therapy aims to promote bowel movements and urination to eliminate accumulated waste and toxins from the large intestine. Purging therapy is commonly used to address issues such as constipation, heat accumulation, and dampness, aiding in restoring regular bowel movements and clearing harmful substances from the body. Certain toxins in the blood, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and urethra that are excreted through urination by herbs might also considered as Purging therapy. For example, after taking certain herbal formulas, patients may experience temporary loose stools and darker urination.
These three strategies are considered essential in TCM for promoting balance within the body and clearing harmful substances. However, they should be administered under the guidance of a qualified TCM practitioner to ensure safety and effectiveness. The choice of therapy depends on the nature of the condition and the individual's constitution. Incorrect application may lead to adverse reactions or complications, so seeking professional guidance is essential before using these strategies.
